Published December 08, 2020 • 2 minute read
The following is an overview of the various types of hold harmless agreements you may encounter in construction contracts, and a list of details required for hold harmless risk transfer.
3 Types of Hold Harmless Agreements
How a hold harmless agreement mitigates risks depends on its wording and usage. Here’s a breakdown of the three types of hold harmless agreements, and when you should utilize them as a part of your risk management protocols.
1. Broad Form
Party providing indemnification assumes all related liability for:
- Accidents
- Contractor’s Own Negligence
- Owner’s Negligence
- Combined Negligence of Contractor & Owner
That’s a lot of indemnity for one party. In fact, it’s so much that many jurisdictions restrict the use of broad-form hold harmless language. Contractors entering into this type of agreement should work with legal and insurance professionals to mitigate the risk associated with such all-encompassing terms.
2. Intermediate Form
Party providing indemnification assumes all liability for:
- Accidents
- Its Own Negligence
The indemnifying party does not assume liability for accidents caused by the other party’s negligence. Such responsibility is entirely dependent upon which party is accountable for the incident.
With this type of hold harmless language, each party assumes liability commensurate with their involvement or negligence regarding an event. Due to its balanced nature, the intermediate form is the gold standard of these agreements, and among the most popular.
3. Limited Form
Party providing indemnification assumes liability for:
- Accidents & Negligence Only, in Limited Form
These agreements hold another party harmless, to the extent that the indemnifying party is at fault. Degree of fault is calculated as a percentage, and payouts are decided accordingly.
Required Information
When preparing hold harmless language, be sure to review and include:
- Name of Indemnified Party to be Held Harmless
- Name of Indemnitor, the Party Offering Protection
- Category of Protection Provided
- Date Range Wherein Agreement Is Active
Beware: Contract language is often subtle, and a court may interpret it differently than a layperson. If you currently track and review documents in-house, we recommend working with legal counsel and insurance professionals to ensure that you address considerations from both sides.
How BCS Helps
BCS provides full-service insurance document review for your policies and other contracts. With the BCS App, you can track an unlimited number of certificates of insurance. You can also opt for a complete audit from our in-house experts to maximize your risk management efforts. Unlike other insurance tracking companies, BCS will not only collect and track your insurance documents, but also review and correct them.
However broad or limited in scope, your relationship with BCS will give you access to a team of expert specialists, providing swift and effective support. Ready to get started? Schedule a demo today.
